Question: I am sorry, uploading was giving me a problem yesterday....the photo of the plant referenced below (sedge in central Maine) …
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Question
I am sorry, uploading was giving me a problem yesterday....the photo of the plant referenced below (sedge in central Maine) is here. Also, thank you for identifying the Ilex. Are you certain of this? I know that shrub well, but am used to seeing it in much wetter habitats (this was quite a dry, upland site). Also, it was not as leggy and tall as it usually looks. It was close to the ground and quite bushy. Perhaps that growth habit is better suited to an open exposed site?
Answer
Dear firstlight, the image you've posted is a species of Sparganium (burr-reed). It looks like Sparganium americanum (American burr-reed); however, I can't see clearly enough to state that identification with 100% confidence. Yes, the image you posted of Ilex verticillata might seem misleading based on the ecology you mention, but they are not always found in close proximity to water and do occur in varied locations sometimes and some sites that seem quite upland can have seasonally saturated soils. Best wishes.
